Nalewka z wiśni, wiśniówka
Sour Cherry Liqueur is one of my favorite liqueurs, next to mirabelle plum one and bird cherry liqueur. Actually I prefer to name it a tincture. An alcohol helps to extract all the beneficial substances from fruits. When you enjoy Wiśniówka just sipping a small glass in the evening you actually take care of your good health;)
Which liqueurs are your favorite?
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Ingredients
- 2 kg / 4 and half lb sour cherries
- 4 cups vodka (about 40%) like Chopin or Belvedere
- 2 cups spirit (80-90% Polish alcohol), in US you can use Everclear
- 3 cups sugar
Here is Step 1 movie on how I make Wiśniówka:
Wash sour cherries and remove stems. You can pit cherries if you want to*. Place cherries in a 3 liter jar. Mix vodka with spirit and cover cherries with alcohol. Let macerate for 2 weeks.
After 2-3 weeks strain cherries, place cherries back in the jar, in another jar (might be smaller) pour the cherry alcohol.
Add sugar to the jar with cherries. Let it sit for another 2 weeks. Sugar needs to dissolve, so I shake the jar each day. Placing the jar in the sun also helps to speed up the process. After about two weeks you’d get a cherry syrup. Combine cherry syrup with cherry alcohol from the other jar.
Pour tincture into bottles and store them in a cool place for 2-3 months before testing:)
I know this is the hardest part of the process:) Sour Cherry Liqueur is really delicious, try yourself.
*Important! Don’t prolong the time of macerating, because pits contain amygdaline, which is harmful to health. For extra safety pit cherries in the first step.
Enjoy! Smacznego!
You may also like Christmas Liqueur, which is delicious the whole year round actually:)
Please remember that alcohol consumption is intended for adults. Please use this recipe responsibly.
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I Thought that Wodka is Polish Spirits
Yes, I should say Spirytus, which is very potent spirit, even over 90%.
Should I say potent or strong is ok?
“Potent” is a good word, but “strong” is fine, too! I checked and Spyritus is available in America, although maybe not everywhere. More common here is something called Everclear, which is about 95% alcohol, like Spyritus. I often use Everclear for making liqueurs, so that should work, too. Wiśniówka really sounds delicious to me! I’ll be checking my market for sour cherries now.
Thank you for clarifying this because I had no idea what spiritus was or if I could even find it .
Mary Ann
Do you have a use for the cherries after straining the liquor?
Do you have a use for the cherries after straining the liquor? Or is it compost now?
People use them for desserts, I give them to my colleague.
Sour cherries in my area are not available. Would sweet cherries work?
yes
Sour cherries in my area are not available. Would sweet cherries work?
sure!
In lieu of sour cherries can bing cherries be used?
Can frozen sour cherries be used?
Some people said they’d used frozen.
– Can I use canned cherries used for pies?
– If I do frozen cherries, will I need to put the jars in the fridge?
– Anything I can add to it like spices? Star Anise? Cloves?
1) I wouldn’t
2) no
3) yes, but maybe you could try to make a few smaller batches to try.
Question
– If I use frozen cherries, do I have to put the bottle in the fridge or freezer?
– Any other spices or syrups you can add? I was thinking of using Rose Flavor Syrup.
– How long can you age Wiśniówka.
Sorry, my response is so late,
no, you don’t have to put it to he fridge, nor freezer
you can try to add some, but for the first time I wouldn’t, or: not to the whole batch
I like it best after 6-7 months, and till 2 years.
Hi Aleksandra,
I bought a couple of bags of frozen sour Cherries this morning. If my local Polski Sklep has Spirytus (I should’ve asked earlier) I will definitely make this. Cherries of all types are my favourite fruit.
Paul:-)
Hi Aleksandra,
I bought a couple of bags of frozen sour cherries yesterday (Cherries of all kinds are my favourite fruit) so if my local Polski Sklep sells spiritus I fully intend to make this recipe. Could I make a Bramble (Blackberry) version? They are abundant here in the UK most years and cost nothing.
Paul:-)
Hi Paul! of course! Blackberry make a perfect tincture!
Hi Aleksandra,
I found fresh sour cherries, macerating as I type.
Only another 3 months or so to wait!
Paul:-)
Alcohol and Cherries in separate jars and sugar added to cherries!
I am not known for patience but I will find restraint with this. They do say that the best things come to those who wait.
Paul:-)